India brings back 35 Somali pirates as part of operations near Red Sea
India has successfully completed a significant anti-piracy operation near the Red Sea, culminating in the capture of 35 Somali pirates.
The Indian navy handed over these pirates to Mumbai police on Saturday, marking the end of a 100-day operation aimed at curbing piracy activities in the region. This operation comes at a crucial time, as piracy has re-emerged in the area after nearly a decade of relative calm.
The cargo ship Ruen, which had been hijacked off the Somali coast three months ago, served as the locus of the operation. Indian forces managed to apprehend the pirates from the Ruen, highlighting India's role as the leading naval force in the Gulf of Aden and the northern Arabian Sea region.
Piracy activities in the area have surged recently, with pirates exploiting the focus of Western forces on protecting shipping from attacks by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi militants in the Red Sea. Since November, there have been more than 20 hijackings or attempted hijackings, resulting in increased insurance and security costs for global shipping companies.
Under India's anti-piracy law enacted in 2022, the captured pirates face severe penalties, including possible life imprisonment. This marks the first instance of individuals being prosecuted under this law, which empowers the navy to apprehend and arrest pirates on the high seas.
According to Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Indian Navy, the pirates had been using the Ruen as a "mother ship" to launch attacks on other vessels. Fortunately, all 17 crew members aboard the Ruen were successfully rescued by Indian commandoes.
Throughout the 100-day operation, India demonstrated its commitment to combating piracy, responding to a total of 18 incidents. The navy deployed 21 ships and approximately 5,000 personnel in rotation, conducting boardings and investigations on over 1,000 vessels. Some days saw the unprecedented deployment of more than a dozen warships, reflecting India's proactive approach to safeguarding maritime security in the region.
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